1. (Newspaper Excerpt)- On The Attempted Kidnap Of Local Black Man By ‘Slavecatchers" The Mystery, 1847 http://explorepahistory.com/odocument.php?docId=103 Description: This source from 1847 discusses four “slavecatchers” from Virginia who entered Pennsylvania to apprehend a local black man. The man was attacked but not captured.
Use- This source helps to establish the constant fear that must have existed among northern blacks, whether they had escaped from slavery or not.
2. Runaway Slave Newspaper Ad http://www.hsp.org/files/1802ad2.pdf
Description- This source from 1802 offers a one hundred dollar reward for the safe return of a runaway slave from Virginia.
Use- This source helps to establish the economics of slavery and the lengths that slaveowners would go if their “property” went missing.
3. Journal Entry from Vigilance Committee http://www.hsp.org/files/stilljune29th1855.pdf
Description- These notes describe how a slave master from Baltimore attempted to acquire the child of a former slave, who he had freed thirty years prior due to poor health.
Use- This document shows how slave owners would go to extreme lengths to benefit from their property, whether current or former slaves. It also shows the importance of documents, because in this case the paperwork kept by the freed slave helped to support her argument in court.
Data
4. Expenses associated w/ helping Fugitive Slaves http://www.hsp.org/files/vigilancecommexpenses185455revised.pdf
Description: This source from 1852 details the monetary expenses incurred by the PA anti-slavery society as they attempted to help fugitive slaves.
Use- This source spells out in minute detail the monetary costs and materials associated with helping fugitive slaves.
Political Cartoons- still looking :)
Images- Engravings
5. Levi Coffin Underground Railroad Station http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage.php?imgId=1123
Description- This image from 1895 portrays fugitive slaves being escorted to a “safe house” on the Underground Railroad.
Use- The lesson plan connected with this source discusses how this image can be used to debunk certain myths about the underground railroad. I hadn’t considered using the source in that way, but it is a great idea and I plan on doing that.
Week 4 Links- Photos and Posters
.... 1. Underground Railroad Shaft- Pine Forge
Description- This photo shows an exit to a tunnel used in the Underground Railroad.
Use- This photo illustrates how a runaway slave would exit a tunnel. Students will be able to see just how small and cramped the tunnels and shafts were and how difficult it must have been to navigate these small spaces.
2. Photo of Anti-Slavery Ad
Description- This image shows an advertisement describing a fourth of July anti-slavery rally to be held in Massachusetts in 1854.
Use- Students can examine the tactics used by those who opposed slavery. Some of the people who attended a rally like this participated in the Underground Railroad.
3. Photo of "Ran Away" Sign
Description- This photo shows a poster informing people of a reward for the capture of a runaway slave.
Use- A poster like this illustrates that slaves were viewed as property, an economic asset. As a result, large sums of money were offered to entice people to help return a runaway slave.
4. 1851 Fugitive Slave Law Notice
Description- This poster shows a notice informing blacks in Boston that local police have the power to "kidnap" runaway slaves.
Use- This poster illustrates the impact of the Fugitive Slave Law on northern "free" states and free blacks. It also shows how abolitionist attempted to warn blacks, both free and runaway slave, to be careful around local authorities.
5. African American Stereotypes- Slaves Playing Music
Description- This image from the 1890s shows happy slaves paying music, singing, and dancing in their cabin.
Use- This image can be used to discuss stereotypes about slaves that were often accepted among whites as a way of justifying or excusing slavery.
Audio Recordings and Sheet Music
1. Sheet Music- Follow the Drinking GourdThis spiritual song contained a message to runaway slaves to follow the Big Dipper to freedom in the North. Here is a link that discusses the history of the song in more detail- History of Song. The lyrics to this song help to illustrate to students the logistics of running away without few, if any, navigation tools.
This song warns runaway slaves to travel near and through water to avoid capture. The lyrics to this song help to illustrate how people may have attempted to insert coded messages into songs, in an effort to provide runaway slaves with tpis and techniques. This song also illustrates that some people question whether or not it was even used to aid runaway slaves. Sometimes myths are perpetuated and it is important to find out what historical evidence connects this song with the Underground Railroad.
3. Audio Recording- Steal Away Audio file is on this page (scroll down) Nat Turner, a Virginia slave, used this spiritual song to organize an uprising against slave owners. The rebellion failed and slave owners forbade Nat Turner's name from being spoken by slaves. This audio and the lyrics provide an excellent opportunity to discuss slave resistance, uprisings, and how music would be used as a code among slaves. Also, this song could be used a springboard for further research of Nat Turner and other slave uprisings.
4. Library of Congress, American Memeory- Voices from the Days of Slavery- Interview w/ Sarah Garner (1935) This recording, which is part of a collection of interviews with former slaves. The audio in mnay of these recordings is difficult to hear. A transcript of this interview is available through the link above and when you read along with the audio, it is much esier to understand. Highlights of this interview include a discussion of Ms. Garner's many children and her experience living in the North.
5. Audio Recording- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot This 1909 gospel recording is believed to refer to slaves who failed in their attempts to gain freedom via the Underground Railroad. The following source (click here) describes how spirituals often functioned as coded communication. "Signal songs" and "map songs" are discussed. This song and this web site will serve as excellent tools to explore the relationship between the Underground Railroad and music.
Maps and Videos 1. Map of the Underground Railroad http://tinyurl.com/oaby62 A map of the underground railroad is essential to understanding this topics. Tremendous distances were traveled by runaways slaves and often many people made it possible for fleeing slaves to avoid capture and gain freedom. I’d like to incorporate local maps into my project.
2. Pennsylvania Underground Railroad http://tinyurl.com/ojedvh This source, which includes a map of the PA underground railroad, discusses the various routes traveled by runaway slaves in PA. Students will find this source particularly interesting because it involves areas close to where they live.
3. Southern ChesterCountyUnderground Railroad Map http://www.undergroundrr.kennett.net/map.html An interactive map of underground railroad routes in ChesterCountyPA. This site is a great find because viewers can click on close to 30 area tourist attractions and a pop up will describe the attraction.
4. Underground Railroad Routes 1860 http://tinyurl.com/6rlz8j Here is another map of the underground railroad, as it extended across the US. Students can compare this map to the other map I linked to, investigating the similarities and differences and exploring how these maps were created.
5. Visual of States involved in Underground Railroad http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/underground/states.htm This site provides an image of each state involved in the underground railroad plus links to major attractions in each state. This is a great resource for students looking for a central resource about the underground railroad.
6. Interview with Paul Curtis about his book "Elijah of Buxton" Click for Interview
Unknown to me before finding this source, a settlement of freed slaves existed in Canada which was started by minister and educator William King. To this day, descendents of these former slaves still live in Buxton. In this link I found, Curtis discusses his book, slavery, and the writing process. I really want to read this book, a work of historical fiction for young people.
1. (Newspaper Excerpt)- On The Attempted Kidnap Of Local Black Man By ‘Slavecatchers" The Mystery, 1847
http://explorepahistory.com/odocument.php?docId=103
Description: This source from 1847 discusses four “slavecatchers” from Virginia who entered Pennsylvania to apprehend a local black man. The man was attacked but not captured.
Use- This source helps to establish the constant fear that must have existed among northern blacks, whether they had escaped from slavery or not.
2. Runaway Slave Newspaper Ad
http://www.hsp.org/files/1802ad2.pdf
Description- This source from 1802 offers a one hundred dollar reward for the safe return of a runaway slave from Virginia.
Use- This source helps to establish the economics of slavery and the lengths that slaveowners would go if their “property” went missing.
3. Journal Entry from Vigilance Committee
http://www.hsp.org/files/stilljune29th1855.pdf
Description- These notes describe how a slave master from Baltimore attempted to acquire the child of a former slave, who he had freed thirty years prior due to poor health.
Use- This document shows how slave owners would go to extreme lengths to benefit from their property, whether current or former slaves. It also shows the importance of documents, because in this case the paperwork kept by the freed slave helped to support her argument in court.
Data
4. Expenses associated w/ helping Fugitive Slaves
http://www.hsp.org/files/vigilancecommexpenses185455revised.pdf
Description: This source from 1852 details the monetary expenses incurred by the PA anti-slavery society as they attempted to help fugitive slaves.
Use- This source spells out in minute detail the monetary costs and materials associated with helping fugitive slaves.
Political Cartoons- still looking :)
Images- Engravings
5. Levi Coffin Underground Railroad Station
http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage.php?imgId=1123
Description- This image from 1895 portrays fugitive slaves being escorted to a “safe house” on the Underground Railroad.
Use- The lesson plan connected with this source discusses how this image can be used to debunk certain myths about the underground railroad. I hadn’t considered using the source in that way, but it is a great idea and I plan on doing that.
Week 4 Links- Photos and Posters
....
1. Underground Railroad Shaft- Pine Forge
Description- This photo shows an exit to a tunnel used in the Underground Railroad.
Use- This photo illustrates how a runaway slave would exit a tunnel. Students will be able to see just how small and cramped the tunnels and shafts were and how difficult it must have been to navigate these small spaces.
2. Photo of Anti-Slavery Ad
Description- This image shows an advertisement describing a fourth of July anti-slavery rally to be held in Massachusetts in 1854.
Use- Students can examine the tactics used by those who opposed slavery. Some of the people who attended a rally like this participated in the Underground Railroad.
3. Photo of "Ran Away" Sign
Description- This photo shows a poster informing people of a reward for the capture of a runaway slave.
Use- A poster like this illustrates that slaves were viewed as property, an economic asset. As a result, large sums of money were offered to entice people to help return a runaway slave.
4. 1851 Fugitive Slave Law Notice
Description- This poster shows a notice informing blacks in Boston that local police have the power to "kidnap" runaway slaves.
Use- This poster illustrates the impact of the Fugitive Slave Law on northern "free" states and free blacks. It also shows how abolitionist attempted to warn blacks, both free and runaway slave, to be careful around local authorities.
5. African American Stereotypes- Slaves Playing Music
Description- This image from the 1890s shows happy slaves paying music, singing, and dancing in their cabin.
Use- This image can be used to discuss stereotypes about slaves that were often accepted among whites as a way of justifying or excusing slavery.
Audio Recordings and Sheet Music
1. Sheet Music- Follow the Drinking GourdThis spiritual song contained a message to runaway slaves to follow the Big Dipper to freedom in the North. Here is a link that discusses the history of the song in more detail- History of Song. The lyrics to this song help to illustrate to students the logistics of running away without few, if any, navigation tools.
=2. Sheet Music- Wade in the Water
This song warns runaway slaves to travel near and through water to avoid capture. The lyrics to this song help to illustrate how people may have attempted to insert coded messages into songs, in an effort to provide runaway slaves with tpis and techniques. This song also illustrates that some people question whether or not it was even used to aid runaway slaves. Sometimes myths are perpetuated and it is important to find out what historical evidence connects this song with the Underground Railroad.
3. Audio Recording- Steal Away Audio file is on this page (scroll down) Nat Turner, a Virginia slave, used this spiritual song to organize an uprising against slave owners. The rebellion failed and slave owners forbade Nat Turner's name from being spoken by slaves. This audio and the lyrics provide an excellent opportunity to discuss slave resistance, uprisings, and how music would be used as a code among slaves. Also, this song could be used a springboard for further research of Nat Turner and other slave uprisings.
4. Library of Congress, American Memeory- Voices from the Days of Slavery- Interview w/ Sarah Garner (1935) This recording, which is part of a collection of interviews with former slaves. The audio in mnay of these recordings is difficult to hear. A transcript of this interview is available through the link above and when you read along with the audio, it is much esier to understand. Highlights of this interview include a discussion of Ms. Garner's many children and her experience living in the North.
5. Audio Recording- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot This 1909 gospel recording is believed to refer to slaves who failed in their attempts to gain freedom via the Underground Railroad. The following source (click here) describes how spirituals often functioned as coded communication. "Signal songs" and "map songs" are discussed. This song and this web site will serve as excellent tools to explore the relationship between the Underground Railroad and music.
Maps and Videos1. Map of the Underground Railroad
http://tinyurl.com/oaby62
A map of the underground railroad is essential to understanding this topics. Tremendous distances were traveled by runaways slaves and often many people made it possible for fleeing slaves to avoid capture and gain freedom. I’d like to incorporate local maps into my project.
2. Pennsylvania Underground Railroad
http://tinyurl.com/ojedvh
This source, which includes a map of the PA underground railroad, discusses the various routes traveled by runaway slaves in PA. Students will find this source particularly interesting because it involves areas close to where they live.
3. Southern Chester County Underground Railroad Map
http://www.undergroundrr.kennett.net/map.html
An interactive map of underground railroad routes in Chester County PA. This site is a great find because viewers can click on close to 30 area tourist attractions and a pop up will describe the attraction.
4. Underground Railroad Routes 1860
http://tinyurl.com/6rlz8j
Here is another map of the underground railroad, as it extended across the US. Students can compare this map to the other map I linked to, investigating the similarities and differences and exploring how these maps were created.
5. Visual of States involved in Underground Railroad
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/underground/states.htm
This site provides an image of each state involved in the underground railroad plus links to major attractions in each state. This is a great resource for students looking for a central resource about the underground railroad.
6. Interview with Paul Curtis about his book "Elijah of Buxton"
Click for Interview
Unknown to me before finding this source, a settlement of freed slaves existed in Canada which was started by minister and educator William King. To this day, descendents of these former slaves still live in Buxton. In this link I found, Curtis discusses his book, slavery, and the writing process. I really want to read this book, a work of historical fiction for young people.
Additional Info on Buxton, Canada
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/hist-blackpower.html
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/hist-ELGIN.html
Other
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2936